Let there be Light - Festivals!

India just finished celebrating Diwali, and several more light-centric festivals are scheduled soon.

Explore these activities to see the light about these important events.

CONNECT:

• Get the facts (and history) of light festivals at https://facts.net/events/17-facts-about-light-festival/
• See pictures of light festivals from around the world at https://communityoflights.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1117:spectacular-festivals-of-lights-from-around-the-world&catid=68&Itemid=239
• Experience the Hanukkah story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tws_uMAEOs&list=RDQMtOA86jhwn5c&start_radio=1
• Enjoy the story of Ramaya: the origins of Diwali, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp59n0So-XE&list=RDQMtOA86jhwn5c&index=4
• Discover the origin of Kwanzaa at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUIdFiOMX5k

CREATE:

• Try these ideas to celebrate light in dark times: https://www.kidfriendlydc.com/2020/12/02/ideas-for-at-home-celebrations-of-light-in-dark-times-from-the-washington-waldorf-school/
• Reinact lantern festivals with these activities: https://lanternfestival.uk/lantern-festival-games-and-activities/
• Light up a party with these light festival ideas: https://theimaginationtree.com/light-party-crafts-and-games-for-kids/
• Make your own advent wreath by following the directions at https://happyhooligans.ca/cardboard-roll-advent-wreath-craft/

CARE:

• Get smart candle safety tips at https://smartkids101.com/blog/candle-safety/
• Make luminaries and candle holders as a holiday gift by trying some of the ideas at https://www.redtedart.com/diy-luminaries-and-candle-holders/
• Be a point of light by engaging in service projects for kids: https://www.pointsoflight.org/blog/12-service-project-ideas-kids/

CAREERS:

Do you like to celebrate with light? There's light at the end of the career tunnel for you: as a party planner, an anthropologist, a scientist, a historian, an artist, a cook, or a religious leader. Light the way for others. Light up some ideas with these resources:

• Festival planners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlPhaLxV28
• Careers in religion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woCgbVWFRIg
• https://www.mashed.com/885179/what-its-really-like-being-a-disney-chef/

Do glaciers move you?

 

CONNECT:

• Get 10 brilliant glacier facts at https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/physical-geography/glaciers/
• See how glaciers change the world at https://www.pbs.org/video/glaciers-glacier-encounter-d6m3hm/
• Find out what are ice sheets at https://kids.kiddle.co/Ice_sheet

 

CREATE:

• Make your own glacier by following the directions at https://www.habitot.org/hands-on-learning/habitot-at-home/stem-activities/make-a-glacier/
• Make glacier gak at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9uVA1DcgbY
• Experiment how glaciers impact earth at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuAx_UBHwjM

 

CARE:

• What would if all glaciers melted? Find out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnRPHmrPQjU
• Take the following steps to help prevent glaciers from melting: https://www.earthreminder.com/how-to-prevent-glaciers-from-melting/
• Want to explore glaciers? Here are some safety tips: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/safety.htm#:~:text=Snow%20and%20Ice&text=very%20steep%20slopes.-,Stay%20on%20designated%20trails%20and%20don't%20go%20beyond%20protective,children%20closely%20in%20such%20areas.

 

CAREERS:

Do glaciers move you? Here are some careers that leverage glaciers.

• https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-jobs-careers-ice
• https://www.onlinedegree.com/careers/life-physical-science/glaciologist/
• https://www.snexplores.org/article/cool-jobs-hunting-surprises-thinning-glaciers
• https://www.antarcticglaciers.org/students-3/careers/

Picture Picture Books

 Picture books are fun to enjoy -- and a great way to learn how to read. Learn more about picture boks with these activities. 

CONNECT:

• Here’s a starting point for learning about picture books: https://kids.kiddle.co/Picture_book
• Think you know about children’s authors? Discover fun book trivia facts about them at https://brokebybooks.com/book-trivia-for-kids/
• Watch the golden age of children’s book illustration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPiZqPVY53c

 

CREATE:

• Here’s a dozen activities to do with any picture book: https://entertainyourtoddler.com/activities-picture-book/
• Try these book activities, including crafts, sensory and learning ideas, at https://abcsofliteracy.com/book-activities/
• Make our own book by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiVqbQm6d20

 

CARE:

• See how to take care of books at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9AFDxdDpGY
• There are lots of ways to store and display picture books; see some examples at https://www.homedit.com/kids-book-storage/
• Read a picture book about giving to others: https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-to-teach-children-about-giving/
• What can you do with old or unwanted picture books? Here are some good ideas: https://luandbeanread.com/what-to-do-with-old-childrens-books/

 

CAREERS:

Picture books are  not just for children. Some picture books are read by all ages. Do you picture yourself having a career with picture books? Get a clear picture of job options with these videos.

• See how picture books are made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00w-a6yKQMI
• Watch how books are assembled at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBYRIh04_zY
• Watch a day in the life of a bookstore owner at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHR6hcGoR8Q
• Watch a day in the life of a children’s librarian at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy-vERPOqdU

 

A Word about Dictionaries

 

October 16 is National Dictionary Day! Get the word about this valuable tool by exploring these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Read some basic facts about dictionaries at https://kids.kiddle.co/Dictionary
• Read about different types of dictionaries at https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/understanding-dictionaries/0/steps/62789
• Watch how to use a dictionary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo2cSioY6wI
• The largest dictionary in the world is the Oxford English Dictionary. See how it keeps current at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=118HE_rrnRs
• Watch the history of dictionaries and how words are added to the dictionary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJJ_pRqvtCs

 

CREATE:

• Use the dictionary to play fun word games with your family at https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/family-dictionary-games.html and https://tinybeans.com/dictionary-games-for-kids/
• Is a picture worth a 1000 words? Find out with the picture dictionary games and activities: https://www.tefl.net/elt/ideas/games/picture-dictionary-games-and-activities/
• Create your own dictionary games!

 

CARE:

• For parents: Find the right dictionary for your child by using the guide at https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/childrens-dictionaries-how-to-find-the-right-dictionary-for-your-child/
• Make a family dictionary by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDPSF7zZVCM
• Handle your dictionary carefully; see how at https://youtu.be/C9AFDxdDpGY

 

CAREERS:

Love words – and pictures that represent them? You could be a lexicographer (look up its definition in a dictionary), a wordsmith, a proofreader, a librarian, or a translator. There are careers in manufacturing and selling dictionaries too.  And don’t forget data dictionaries for the workplace. Look up these wordy careers.

• https://www.themuse.com/advice/my-job-is-to-add-words-to-the-dictionary-which-is-pretty-cool
• https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/lexicographer
• Data dictionaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxWeDJiVdA0

 

Root, Root, Hooray!

 Roots can refer to hair or family roots. This topic focuses on plant roots, which are valuable to nature and humans. Dig into roots with these activities.

CONNECT:

• What do roots do? Watch their functions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNmZOJHuf3k&ab_channel=HungrySciANNtist
• Watch how fast roots can grow at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w77zPAtVTuI&ab_channel=GPhase
• Would you eat a root? Watch how people grow root vegetables at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ7KwES45GY&ab_channel=nmsuaces

CREATE:

• Know your roots with this trivia quiz: https://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/ForChildren/Know-Your-Roots-323200.html
• Chomp on these fun carrot root activities: https://artsymomma.com/fun-carrot-crafts-for-kids.html
• Have a root vegetable tasting party by following these family-friendly directions: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/food-fun-young-children/exploring-roasted-root-vegetables

CARE:

• Another reason to root for vegetables is that they are healthy for you; read what a doctor says at https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-root-vegetables
• Soil conservation is made possible largely because of roots; watch how at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNXke_-cnEc&ab_channel=RandburgMontessoriLearningCommunity
• Watch how to plant a garden at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TJuJTFEBbs&ab_channel=SciShowKids

CAREERS:

Want to find your roots in a growing career? You can root for gardeners, cooks, scientisst, and grocers. Consider the possibilities:

• https://mortonarb.org/educators/planted-podcast/
• Visit a sustainable tree farm at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwflaaZ6HNo&ab_channel=MarylandFarm%26Harvest

Viva Video!

 

Videos are all around you: on TV, on computers, on phones, in public places. How are they produced and what is their impact. Broaden your view of videos with these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch how videos work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey6S3rKH_o4
• Watch how video games are made at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvrLOS7Lo0Y
• See how a VCR works at https://youtu.be/lRNv4uM6auI
• See how children react to videotapes at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kesMOzzNBiQ&t=198s
• What is media literacy? See what it is and why it is important at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIaRw5R6Da4

 

CREATE:

• What makes a good family movie? Watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPNowUs-ztc) and start discussing movies as a family.
• Use this guide about types of camera shots at https://static.pbslearningmedia.org/media/media_files/typesofshots.pdf to analyze videos.
• Start thinking about creating a video by seeing how videos are produced at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVz6ibGZZd0
• Creating videos? Here are some tested tips for youth at https://joebrennan.us/Digital_Storytelling/Video_Tips/Video_Tips.html

 

CARE:

• Videos are not permanent. Watch how videotapes are preserved at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo4Tn7_hm7E
• Watch how to preserve digital videos at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96Cei7THmyk
• See examples of video used for activism at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/queer-kid-stuff-activism-video_n_5af9ef51e4b0200bcab7ede9

 

CAREERS:

Do you view videos in your career future? See the possibilities in video production and using video to share your perspectives and expertise.  

• 10 careers in film and video production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMBMhNh2S0
• Film director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_X965j-GD8 (increasingly, movies are made with videos)
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/career-video-production
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/film-and-video-editors-and-camera-operators.htm

It's Electric!

 

You usually can’t see electricity but you can sometimes feel it; it can be shocking!  Light up your mind by engaging in these activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Watch electricity in nature explained at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-0gNl5f4BU
• What is an electric circuit? See the answer at What is an electric circuit? See the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFp8bHTN30
• How does electricity get to your house? Watch the journey at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPsetQ9Nt48
• Watch the history of electricity at What is an electric circuit? See the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFp8bHTN30
• Can a fish produce electricity? YES: electric eels – although they aren’t really eels; learn about them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFp8bHTN30

 

CREATE:

• Learn about electricity circuits by experimenting with batteries online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOFp8bHTN30
• Do does static electricity work? Experiment by following the directions at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TAIUCYMlIQ
• Try several more electricity experiments at https://www.aneverydaystory.com/electricity-experiments-for-kids/

 

CARE:

•  Watch how to safe around electricity at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-QK20pZvto
• Find out 10 easy ways to conserve energy at home and school at https://tristate.coop/kids-conserve-energy-for-home-school
• Be a home energy auditor by following the guide at https://climatekids.nasa.gov/career-auditor/

 

 

CAREERS:

Does electricity turn you on? Here are some bright careers related to electricity: from scientist to manufacturer and repairer.

• Watch the many career paths of an electrician at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya9KIN1GzbA
• https://learn.org/articles/What_are_Some_Common_Careers_in_the_Electricity_Industry.html
• https://www.rturnerelectric.com/careers-in-electrical-industry/